When Erick Ambtman, the centre's executive director, went to see how the campaign had gone from a few hundred dollars to over its goal, he discovered it was thanks to Andrew Ference, one of the Edmonton Oilers' captains.

“To come across a local story like that and respond that quickly, speaks volumes towards the type of person he and his wife are. They are tremendous ambassadors for our community," Ambtman told News Talk 770.

The fund was initially intended to handle costs that refugees might not be prepared for, like damage deposits for renting a home or winter clothing. Now that it's off to such a successful start, the centre might be able to hire an employee to help with the settlement process, Ambtman told Metro News.

All of the donations are eligible for the federal government's Syrian Emergency Relief Fund, which matches every dollar contributed by Canadians.

Approximately 3,000 refugees are slated to arrive in Alberta by the end of the year.

"We're so determined as a community to support this influx and these families, it's amazing," he told CBC News.

The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, together with the Islamic Family and Social Services Association and Mennonite Central Committee Alberta have brought 36 Syrian refugees through private sponsorships to Edmonton so far.